Alterations of the Human Lung and Gut Microbiomes in Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinomas and Distant Metastasis

Our survey on gut and sputum microbiota revealed that both were significantly disturbed in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and associated with distant metastasis (DM) while only the sputum microbiota was associated with non-DM NSCLC. The lung microbiota could therefore have a stronger association with (and thus may contribute more to) disease development than the gut microbiota.

OBESITY AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH CANCER: PART III

Obesity and cancer has been discussed in the first two parts. This part (Part III) deals with six cancers, namely those involving the breast, colorectal tissues, esophagus, stomach. gall bladder, and liver. Their relationship with obesity is discussed. Part IV will look at endometrial, ovarian, pancreatic, prostate, renal, thyroid and lung carcinomas. Meningioma and multiple myeloma are also discussed.

Prognostic impact of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in non-small cell lung carcinomas

Introduction Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes represent a pivotal component of the host anti-tumor response. Thus, they considerably influence the evolution of cancers including non-small cell lung carcinomas. Even if, this important role is consensual, many discordant results are published in the literature about the prognostic role of the different populations of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. The aim of our work was to evaluate the prognostic impact of CD8+, CD4+, and forkhead box protein P3+ lymphocytes in the tumor microenvironment of non-small cell lung carcinomas. Methods We conducted a retrospective descriptive study, which included non-small cell lung carcinomas diagnosed in the department of pathology and followed in the medical oncology department of the same hospital between 2011 and 2015. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes were analyzed by the immunohistochemical method for forkhead box protein P3, CD4, and CD8. Intratumoral and stromal-labeled lymphocytes were quantified by manual counting at high magnification (×400). Forkhead box protein P3+/CD8+, forkhead box protein P3+/CD4+, and CD8+/CD4+ ratios were subsequently calculated. The prognostic value of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes was assessed in respect of overall survival, recurrence-free survival, and relapse-free survival. Results Thirty-nine patients were included. The mean age of patients was 59.6 years. A complete surgical resection ( p = 0.009), and a CD8/CD4 ratio ( p = 0.008) were prognostic factors for overall survival. Complete surgical resection ( p = 0.003), the forkhead box protein P3/CD8 ( p = 0.005), and forkhead box protein P3/CD4 ( p = 0.037) ratios were prognostic factors for recurrence-free survival. The CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes rate ( p = 0.037) was a prognostic factor for relapse-free survival with a threshold of 67.8/high power field. Microscopic subtype ( p = 0.037) was a prognostic factor for relapse-free survival when only adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma were considered. In multivariate analysis, age ( p = 0.004) and a CD8/CD4 ratio ( p = 0.016) were independent predictors of overall survival. Conclusion Despite the limitations of our study, our results confirm the prognostic value of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in non-small cell lung carcinomas and the importance of the combined quantification of their different subpopulations.

Bioactive extracts of Ziziphus mauritiana induces apoptosis in A549 human lung epithelial carcinoma cells through the generation of reactive oxygen species

Background: In recent years, novel metabolites isolated from botanical sources have attracted much attention for traditional and therapeutic significance. The ethnopharmacological studies suggest that Ziziphus mauritiana is a common remedy against several kinds of ailments. Objective: The current study has evaluated the MeOH extract of Ziziphus mauritiana leaves (ZME) through physicochemical, phytochemical, and chromatographic fingerprinting analysis, which displayed an array of biometabolites of pharmacological significance including flavonoids. Methods: The extract was further examined for anticancer activities which revealed promising anticancer properties against human lung epithelial carcinoma cells (A549) and induction of apoptosis impart by ROS. The oxidative stress was evaluated in terms of production and accumulation of cytosolic extent of ROS whereas anticancer perspective was determined by MTT assay, cell morphology analysis, followed by nuclear condensation for the examination of apoptosis induction. Results: Finding suggests that the MeOH extract of ZME markedly exhibited promising anticancer activity against the A549 lung epithelial carcinoma cell. The ZME was found to be most active in the MTT assay against A549 cells while it was less toxic to normal cells. The intracellular ROS generation was remarkably induced by ZME, which correlated with the ability of the flavonoid-rich fractions in the MeOH extract to inhibit cell growth and might induce apoptosis. Conclusion: The present study provides useful insight concerning the promising anticancer potential of ZME against A549 lung carcinomas. However, the clinical correlation will be required for its authorization and in the discovery of significant and least noxious novel agents against lung carcinomas.